City raises building permit fees

This article submitted by Michael Jacobson on 1/17/01.
The city council approved raising building permit fees by ten percent at their first meeting of 2001 on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

Permit fees vary according to a projectÕs cost, using a sliding scale. (See shaded box.) A permit for a $500 project would cost $16.50, one for a $50,000 project would cost $455.95, and one for a $500,000 project would cost $2,243.45.

The city contracts with the Mid-Minnesota Development Commission from Willmar for inspection services.

Last year, the city issued 84 permits at a valuation of $5.6 million. There was only one more permit than in 1999, but the value of projects raised $3.1 million.

In addition, Mid-Minnesota will charge $43 per hour for inspections outside of normal business hours, for reinspections, and additional review required by changes to the approved plans. A plan check will cost 65 percent of the building fee.

The city will charge $25 for the demolition or moving of a building, with police escort also costing $25 per hour.

Reorganization
As it was the first meeting of a new year, the council reorganized for 2001.

First, Mayor Jeff Thompson and council members Harlan Beek and Dave Peschong were sworn in for new terms. Thompson was re-elected to a two-year term, and Beek and Peschong have four-year terms.

Council member Dennis Zimmerman was reappointed as the acting mayor, to fill in for Thompson if needed.

The council designated Frauenshuh and Spooner as the city attorney; The Paynesville Press as its official newspaper; city administrator Denny Wilde as treasurer; Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. as the city engineer; Dennis Nacey as civil defense director; and Farmers & Merchants State Bank, the Melrose Credit Union, Community First National Bank, Saloman Smith Barney, and Miller Johnson Steichen Kinnard (formerly Juran and Moody) as official depositories of city funds.